On December 3, 2020, the 27th meeting of the Ministerial Council of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) began in the format of a videoconference, in the capital of the Republic of Albania, Tirana.

 The Turkmen delegation was headed by the Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan R. Meredov.

 The agenda of the meeting is very busy. On the first day of the meeting, the addresses of the OSCE Chairman-in-Office and the President of the Organization's Parliamentary Assembly were heard. The report of the OSCE Secretariat was also presented to the attention of the participants. This was followed by plenary sessions, during which the heads of delegations, heads of the foreign affairs agencies of the OSCE participating States and the partner countries for cooperation made statements.

 The parties assessed the current level of cooperation in political, economic, environmental and humanitarian directions in the OSCE area. Special attention was paid to security issues, protection of human rights and freedoms, and the fight against the global pandemic. The need to strengthen the work of the OSCE through closer coordination and cooperation, improved strategic planning and openness to reform was emphasized.

 Speaking at the meeting, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan reaffirmed Turkmenistan's commitment to multifaceted cooperation with the OSCE. The participants were presented with specific proposals to improve cooperation on the OSCE platform, in particular, in the field of social, economic, environmental and energy security.

 "Our country will continue to make every effort to establish the principles of international law, the ideals of humanism, justice, tolerance, mutual respect as factors that determine modern relations between states," R. Meredov said.

Speaking today at the 27th online-meeting of the OSCE Ministerial Council, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan R. Meredov reflected the vision of the leadership of Turkmenistan on the concept of security.

 In particular, it was noted that the conceptual approaches of Turkmenistan to ensuring security and stability were repeatedly voiced in the speeches of President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov on the platforms of the UN, OSCE and other authoritative international organizations. “They are based on the principle of integrity and indivisibility of security, which means for us the continuity and interdependence of such elements as political, economic, food, environmental and other types of security,” the Minister noted.

 Speaking about the negative consequences of the global pandemic and the state of security in the world, the head of the foreign policy agency of Turkmenistan proposed to consider the possibilities of preparing the OSCE Common Security Strategy - a new international legal mechanism aimed at resolving a number of interrelated political, socio-economic and humanitarian tasks.

 In this context, the importance of restoring trust in international politics was emphasized; the UN General Assembly resolution was highlighted according to which, at the initiative of Turkmenistan, 2021 was declared the International Year of Peace and Trust. The plans of Turkmenistan to organize the International Forum of Peace and Trust, “which will allow to outline the ways to the full and comprehensive establishment of a culture of peace and trust in international relations as the basis of a strong and stable security system,” noted R.Meredov.

 During the speech, he also noted the uniqueness and effectiveness of the policy of permanent Neutrality of Turkmenistan, which calls for an equal, respectful and mutually beneficial international partnership. The Turkmen delegation expressed Turkmenistan's readiness to take an active part in the development of new concepts and strategies in the field of peacebuilding and peacekeeping, using its experience of positive neutrality.

Speaking today at the OSCE Ministerial Council held online, the Foreign Minister of Turkmenistan R.Meredov underlined the importance of nature protection and climate change issues. As is known, the ecological safety is one of the priority spheres of cooperation between the countries within the OSCE. 

The head of Turkmen delegation stated the importance of search for effective and modern resolutions of ecological problems. In this regard, the proposal was voiced on the preparation of the Comprehensive Ecological Programme of OSCE which will help to concretize the priorities of the Organization in the nature protection field.  

“Such Programme could become a good basis for the development of projects in the area of protection and rational use of the interior, land and water resources in the OSCE member states,” said Minister Meredov.       

The OSCE Ministerial Council is an effective platform for discussing pressing issues and resolving common challenges facing the Organization. On the first day of the 27th meeting of the OSCE Ministerial Council, held in Tirana via video conferencing, issues of a socio-economic nature were raised.

 Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan R. Meredov drew the attention of the meeting participants to the regions of Central Asia and the Caspian Sea, which are playing an increasing role in international politics. The discussion, in particular, was about the energy resource potential and the development opportunities of transport and communication corridors of these regions, which open up great economic and political advantages for states of the whole OSCE region.

 In this regard, the expediency of the proposal of the Turkmen side to establish specialized structures of the OSCE - the Council on Sustainable Energy and the Commission on Transport Policy was once again emphasized.

 It was noted that energy is one of the key areas of cooperation between Turkmenistan and the OSCE. Turkmenistan stands for the introduction of mutually acceptable cooperation mechanisms designed to contribute to the formation of a single vector in the OSCE's activities, based on a balance of interests and ensuring mutual rights and opportunities.

At the meeting of the OSCE Ministerial Council in the format of a videoconference, joint actions to uphold the values of democracy, the rule of law and individual freedom were discussed.

 In his speech, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan made a special emphasis on the humanitarian dimension of activities within the OSCE, advocating the creation of a more democratic and peaceful Euro-Atlantic and Eurasian region.

 Stressing the importance of the conscientious fulfillment of the OSCE commitments, Minister Meredov highly appreciated the cooperation between Turkmenistan and the OSCE in the field of human rights and freedoms. Over the past years, a large number of joint projects and programs have been implemented.

  Within the framework of the current OSCE Ministerial Council, the Turkmen side proposed to consider the possibility of developing a long-term OSCE Platform for Action in the humanitarian dimension.

 At the meeting, it was noted that Turkmenistan intends to continue to make every effort to establish the principles of international law, the ideals of humanism, mutual respect as key factors determining modern relations between states.

VIENNA, 29 September 2020 – A special meeting of the OSCE Permanent Council on developments in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict context was convened at 17:00 local time in Vienna today by Albania’s 2020 OSCE Chairmanship. The meeting was attended by representatives of the OSCE’s 57 participating States.

Opening the meeting, Ambassador Igli Hasani, Chair of the Permanent Council, reiterated the Chairmanship’s alarm at the ongoing clashes and deterioration of the situation on the ground. Dismayed by the rising number of casualties, he repeated the OSCE Chairmanship’s call for an immediate de-escalation and offered condolences to the families and loved ones of those killed and injured.

Briefing the Permanent Council, Personal Representative of the Chairperson-in-Office, Ambassador Andrzej Kasprzyk, said he was receiving information directly from the ground and local interlocutors at the highest level. Ambassador Kasprzyk said he was in constant communication with the sides, and said his team were ready to resume monitoring on the ground as soon as the situation permits.

Representatives of the Minsk Group Co-Chair countries – France, Russian Federation and the United States of America – reiterated the Co-Chairs’ appeal to all sides to cease hostilities immediately and to resume negotiations to find a sustainable resolution to the conflict.

The Albanian OSCE Chairmanship repeated the importance of a negotiated solution and its support for the work of the Minsk Group Co-Chairs and Ambassador Kasprzyk in their efforts to stabilize the situation on the ground.

Source: https://www.osce.org/chairmanship/465225?fbclid=IwAR3bzKHU40IJHkQ4VbAiiYgh1eSFrlZOpuVGT9z1Z23ja-nsnWi5G1p8feU

The Group of Friends of Georgia to OSCE including Bulgaria, Canada, Czech Republic, Estonia, Finland, Ireland, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway, Poland, Romania, Sweden, Ukraine, the United Kingdom and the United States of America delivered a joint statement at the OSCE Permanent Council meeting, on 3 September 2020. The statement reads that twelve years since the Russian military invasion of Georgia, we remain deeply concerned over the continued occupation of parts of the territory of Georgia and underlineს the need for the peaceful resolution of the conflict based on full respect for the UN Charter, the Helsinki Final Act and international law. The delegations call upon the Russian Federation to fulfill immediately its clear obligation under the EU-mediated 12 August 2008 ceasefire agreement to withdraw its forces to pre-conflict positions. The members of the Group of Friends are deeply concerned over humanitarian conditions of civilians in conflict-affected areas, human rights abuses, and the increased Russian military exercises and build up in Georgia’s Abkhazia and South Ossetia regions. “We are concerned by the intensified provocations by the Russian Federation and the regimes in Sokhumi and Tskhinvali that continued unabated amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. We are particularly concerned over the installation of barbed wire fences and other artificial barriers along the administrative boundary lines (ABLs) of Georgia’s Abkhazia and South Ossetia regions, and the lengthy closure of so-called crossing points in Georgia’s Abkhazia and South Ossetia regions along the ABLs. These actions have destabilized the situation on the ground and severely impacted the security, safety, well-being, and humanitarian conditions of civilians in conflict-affected areas, particularly in Akahalgori and Gali districts.” – reads the statement. According to it, Dozens of people died over the past year as they were deprived of the possibility of getting prompt and adequate medical care, due to the closures of the so-called crossing points. The delegations express their deep concern over the shooting and wounding of Georgian citizen Zaza Gakheladze and call for the International Committee of the Red Cross to be provided prompt access to all detainees, and further for immediate release of those under illegal custody. The Group is following closely the case of the death of Georgian citizen Irakli Kvaratskhelia in detention at the Russian Military base in Georgia’s Abkhazia region. The Group also condemns the killing of Georgian citizens Archil Tatunashvili, Giga Otkhozoria, and Davit Basharuli, and urges the Russian Federation, as the state exercising effective control over Abkhazia and South Ossetia, to remove any obstacles to bringing the perpetrators to justice. “In this context, we reiterate our support for Georgia’s preventive steps aimed at eradication of the sense of impunity for crimes committed in its territory under the Russian Federation’s control and note the adoption of the Otkhozoria-Tatunashvili List by the Government of Georgia” – reads the statement. The delegations welcome Georgia’s compliance with the EU-mediated 12 August 2008 ceasefire agreement and Georgia’s unilateral commitment not to use force, and call on the Russian Federation to reciprocate, and to affirm and implement a commitment not to use force against Georgia. They support the Geneva International Discussions (GID) and the Incident Prevention and Response Mechanisms (IPRMs) underlining the necessity of progress within these formats. The OSCE Member States support the peace initiative of the Government of Georgia, ‘A Step to a Better Future’, aimed at improving the humanitarian and socio-economic conditions of people residing in Georgia’s Abkhazia and South Ossetia regions and at fostering confidence building among divided communities to the benefit of all affected people. They welcome the program’s initial successes, including the launch of its education programs and the “Enterprise for a Better Future” grants program, which already registered high interest and engagement of communities on all sides of the administrative boundary lines, as well as the establishment of the Peace Fund for a Better Future, and we look forward to supporting its continued implementation. The Group of Friends of Georgia reaffirmed that “they will continue to raise awareness of the conflict and of developments on the ground, hold Russia accountable for its obligations and commitments, and advocate for the conflict’s peaceful resolution”. Source: https://mfa.gov.ge/News/euto-shi-saqartvelos-megobarta-jgufma-ruset-saqart.aspx?CatID=5&lang=en-US

“We are grateful to Turkmenistan for the wonderful organization of the work of the CIS Council of Ministers of Foreign Affairs”, said Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation, Sergey Lavrov, addressing the mass media representatives.

“Today, we have completed the process of approving a very important document that was initiated by President of Turkmenistan Mr. Gurbanguly Myalikgulyyevich Berdimuhamedov. I am talking about enhancing partnership in the foreign-policy sphere between the CIS member states.

“This is a very important document that lays the vectors for further work in international organizations and other platforms, including regional structures such as OSCE, and this is very useful. Second, the project of the Appeal to the people of the world with regard to the 75th anniversary of the victory of the Soviet people in the Great Patriotic War was adopted. It was agreed to promote the relevant memorable events in frames of the UN and OSCE.

“The new for our CIS Council of Ministers of Foreign Affairs document – as suggested by the Russian Federation it was adopted the declaration of ministers on the Prevention of Militarisation of Outer Space. There are a lot of warning signs that some states have plans in this area. This is crucial to draw attention to them and agree on the conditions for the non-placement of weapons in space.

“The draft strategy for cooperation in the sphere of international information security and the documents on strengthening military cooperation, including the establishment of a joint unit for humanitarian demining and the formation of joint communication systems were adopted. I’m sure that the heads of states will make important strategic decisions aimed at deepening and strengthening the CIS”, emphasized the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation.

The state news agency of Turkmenistan

The 16th South Caucasus Media Conference titled "Strengthening media freedom and safety of journalists in a changing environment" will be held in Tbilisi on 9-10 October 2019.

The conference will gather participants from Armenia and Azerbaijan and Georgia representing the public authorities, media, journalists' associations, civil society, academia, and international experts to discuss the issues of the regulatory frameworks, safe working environment, and new media technologies.

The event will offer four plenary sessions providing an overview of media freedom developments in the region, as well as focus on news creation, quality journalism and distribution of media in the age of digital reporting; the safety of journalists offline and online in times of political change; and the regulatory environment for media freedom and media pluralism.

The working languages will be English and Russian with simultaneous interpretation.

The event will take place at the Hotel Marriott Courtyard Tbilisi.

Georgian Foreign Minister David Zalkaliani had a telephone conversation with OSCE Chairperson-in-Office, Minister of Foreign and European Affairs, Miroslav Lajčák on the continuation of illegal process of erecting artificial barriers in the village of Gugutiantkari.

David Zalkaliani provided the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office with detailed information on the increasing number of provocations across the occupation line, including the installation of artificial barriers in Gugutiantkari and the kidnapping of 8 citizens of Georgia from there.

According to the Minister, the erection of artificial barriers in the village of Gugutiantkari coupled with the continued practice of illegal detentions and kidnappings of Georgian citizens by the occupation forces aggravates the already difficult humanitarian situation and the security environment on the ground, and represents a clear attempt to further destabilize the situation.

Zalkaliani urged the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office to employ all international levers at his disposal to ensure that the illegal installation process is stopped and the kidnapped citizens of Georgia are returned to their families.

The Georgian Foreign Minister also urged Miroslav Lajčák to place the issue of Georgia high on the international agenda. The sides also highlighted the importance of the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office’s arrival in Georgia to assess the situation on the ground.

Reaffirming his support for Georgia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office emphasized the need to ensure security on the ground.